We’re using the occasion as an opportunity to introduce and celebrate the members of our team who just happen to be married to the military, as well as specialising in it.
Sam Staincliffe
Sam kicked off her career in defence with the United States Air Force in airfield support. A role that quickly grew into a diplomatic and operational one as events in Libya unfolded.
Selection for the MOD’s internal talent programme jettisoned Sam into roles such as supporting the four-star in charge of Joint Forces Command, policy desk officer for Afghanistan leading on Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance and technology, and private investigations and cyber support in the US.
Between leaving the MOD and joining the Canny Comms team, Sam worked in technology development and innovation for disaster response with the American Red Cross.
Sam now supports our technical and innovative clients, all while fostering her own two start-ups in biotechnology to reduce plastic consumption and textile circularity in defence. Sam is also the CTO for a newly-formed military families not-for-profit organisation e50K.
Jessica Brown
Jessica has over 13 years’ experience working in defence, providing flight operations support within fast-jet training, military air transport and frontline rotary environments, both in the UK and on overseas deployments with partner nations.
Through her military career and subsequent roles in learning and development, she has built up extensive experience in providing clear and concise written communications and training materials for use within the MOD and both national private- and public-sector organisations.
Jessica has professionally trained in copy editing and proofreading with the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading and has a first-class degree in modern language studies.
Jessica is, quite simply, essential to delivering accurate and authentic copy for our military-focused clients.
Annabel Mead
Annabel jumped into the defence sector from Financial Services sector in 2002, joining Dstl on its formation as its PR and media manager. Working alongside the most fascinating scientists, Annabel communicated the significance of their ground-breaking and life-saving science and technology.
So began Annabel’s fascination with innovation. During her time at Dstl, Annabel spent a year on secondment to the Australian Department of Defence, as well as in the MOD press office specialising in the operational aspect of science and technology.
Following time in Germany as SSAFA Chairperson of Western European Committee, and on return to the UK, Annabel’s interest in innovation was reignited as communications consultant for BAE Systems working on strategic stakeholder maritime communications. Annabel then moved to a communications agency as Senior Project Manager advising the European Commission on accelerating sustainable innovation.
Annabel joined us from the role of storyteller for the Defence and Security Accelerator. That wealth of experience now aids our clients in communicating their stories of technology, innovation and contribution to defence and security.
Suzie Stanier
A childhood surrounded by books and model aeroplanes fostered a keen interest and appreciation for the military. Suzie’s first entry into the global defence arena, however, was through the UK-registered charity, The Russian Aviation Research Trust, run by her father.
Suzie brings an organised, but also a medical and military, mind to our team, drawing on wider experience as a diagnostic radiographer, former British Army cadet instructor and civil servant.
Suzie now keeps the Canny Comms team in check, setting up meetings, carrying out background research, compiling media lists and taking care of the essential admin.
Lindsay Compton
Founder and director of Canny Comms, Lindsay is a proud military spouse, ‘brat’, enthusiast and specialist.
From AI and cyber security to aviation and maritime, Lindsay has built her technical and defence expertise by working with leading brands such as BAE Systems, AirTanker (a joint venture made up of Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Babcock, Thales and Cobham) and Chemring-owned technology innovator Roke.
Lindsay set up Canny Comms in 2019 with the aim of making it easier for technical and complex businesses to successfully engage with their audiences by using a communications consultancy that really understands the market and the technology. The company works with a number of clients, from PLCs to SMEs and start-ups, who are developing technology which is set to deliver the next generation of military capability.
A team that understands the environment as well as the technology is essential to providing a brilliant service. Due to the need for this experience, and in line with our pledge to the Armed Forces Covenant, we are providing flexible and interesting roles which are proving to work well alongside the military family life.
